light bulb

noun

variants or lightbulb

ˈlīt-ˌbəlb 

plural light bulbs or lightbulbs

: an electric lamp: such as

a

: one in which a filament gives off light when heated to incandescence by an electric current

called also incandescent, incandescent lamp

b

: one having a coating of fluorescent material on its inner surface that emits visible light : fluorescent lamp

especially : compact fluorescent light

c

: one using LEDs to generate light

Illustration of light bulb

• 1 bulb containing gas
• 2 filament
• 3 connecting and supporting wires
• 4 exhaust tube
• 5 screw base
• 6 base contact

Examples of light bulb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That was the light bulb moment, to really start to relate to what was most important to them. —David Moin, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024

Create the light bulb shades with orange and silver paper cups. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024

The lamp comes with LED bulbs for soft-white lighting but can also fit standard light bulbs. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024

While making the music, a light bulb went off in LP’s head about her 20-hour workdays and infinite to-do lists. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lightbulb

noun

light·​bulb ˈlīt-ˌbəlb 

: an electric lamp: as

a

: one in which a filament gives off light when heated by an electric current

called also incandescent lamp

b

: fluorescent lamp